To the rack with him :- -We'll touze you jointsby joint But we will know this purpose :— Duke. Be not so hot; the Duke -What! unjust? Dare no more stretch this finger of mine, than he Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble, As much in mock as mark. Esca. Slander to the state! Away with him to prison. Ang. What can you vouch against him, Signior Lucio? Is this the man that you did tell us of? Lucio. "Tis he, my lord.-Come hither, goodman baldpate: Do you know me? Duke. I remember you, sir, by the sound of your voice: I met you at the prison, in the absence of the Duke. Lucio. O, did you so? And do you remember what you said of the Duke? Duke. Most notedly, sir. Lucio. Do you so, sir? And was the Duke a fleshmonger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported him to be? Duke. You must, sir, change persons with me, ere you make that my report: you, indeed, spoke so of him; and much more, much worse. Lucio. O thou damnable fellow! Did not I pluck thee by the nose, for thy speeches? Duke. I protest, I love the Duke, as I love myself. Ang. Hark! how the villain would close now, after his treasonable abuses. : Esca. Such a fellow is not to be talked withal:Away with him to prison :-Where is the Provost ? Away with him to prison; lay bolts enough upon him: let him speak no more:-Away with those giglots too, and with the other confederate compa[The PROVOST lays hands on the DUKE. Duke. Stay, sir; stay a while. nion. Ang. What! resists he? Help him, Lucio. Lucio. Come, sir; come, sir:-Why, you baldpated, lying rascal! you must be hooded, must you? Show your knave's visage, show your sheep-biting face, and be hang'd an hour! Will't not off? [Pulls off the Friar's habit, and discovers the DUKE. Duke. Thou art the first knave, that ever made a duke. First, Provost, let me bail these gentle three :- [The APPARITORS seize LUCIO. Lucio. This may prove worse than hanging. Duke. What you have spoke, I pardon; sit you down: [To ESCALUS. We'll borrow place of him :-Sir, by your leave. [To ANGELO. Hast thou or word, or wit, or impudence, Ang. O, my dread lord, I should be guiltier than my guiltiness, When I perceive, your grace, like power divine, Duke. Come hither, Mariana :— Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? Duke. Go, take her hence, and marry her instantly. Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again :-Go with him, Provost. [Exeunt MARIANA, ANGELO, FRIAR PETER, and PROVOST. Esca. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his dishonour, Than at the strangeness of it. Duke. Come hither, Isabel. Isa. O, give me pardon, [She kneels. That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd Your unknown sovereignty. Duke. You are pardon'd, Isabel : [Raises her. And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. Than that which lives to fear: make it your comfort, So happy is your brother. Enter MARIANA, ANGELO, PROVOST, and FRIAR PETER. Isa. I do, my lord. Duke. For this new marry'd man, approaching here, Whose foul imagination yet hath wrong'd Your well-defended honour, you must pardon him, For Mariana's sake: but, as he adjudg'd your bro ther, (Being criminal in double violation, Of sacred chastity, and of promise breach,) Where Claudio stoop'd to death, and with like haste; Mari. O, my most gracious lord, I hope, you will not mock me with a husband. Consenting to the safeguard of your honour, His fault thus manifested, The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue, "An Angelo for Claudio, death for death." Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and " Measure still for Measure.” Mari. Gentle my liege― [Falls on her knees, Duke. You do but lose your labour; Away with him to death. [GUARDS draw their swords, advancing. Mari. O, my good lord !-Sweet Isabel, take my part: Lend me your knees, and, all my life to come, Duke. Against all sense you do importune her: Mari. Isabel, Sweet Isabel, do yet but kneel by me:- Duke. He dies for Claudio's death. Isa. Most bounteous sir, [Kneeling. Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, As if my brother liv'd: I partly think, Till he did look on me; since it is so, His act did not o'ertake his bad intent; And must be buried but as an intent, That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; Intents but merely thoughts. Mari. Merely, my lord. Duke. Your suit's unprofitable; stand up, I say. [They rise. I have bethought me of another fault :- Prov. It was commanded so. Duke. Had you a special warrant for the deed? Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private mes sage. Duke. For which I do discharge you of your office: Give up your keys. Prov. Pardon me, noble lord: I thought it was a fault, but knew it not; Duke. What's he? Prov. His name is Barnardine. Duke. I would, thou hadst done so by Claudio.— Go, fetch him hither, let me look upon him. [Exit PROVOST, into the City. |